Health Tip: Avoid Mosquito Bites

Mosquito bites may be more than just an itchy annoyance — they also can transmit deadly germs that cause diseases such as Zika, West Nile or dengue, the U.S. National Institutes of Health warns.

Mosquito-borne illnesses kill about 725,000 people worldwide each year, the agency says.

Here are the NIH’s suggestions for avoiding mosquito bites:

Use an insect repellent containing DEET, picaridin, lemon eucalyptus, para-menthane-diol or IR3535 on the skin or thin clothing.
Wear long sleeves, pants and socks.
Install or repair screens to keep insects out. Use air conditioning, if available, and keep windows and doors shut.
Get rid of bug breeding sites by emptying standing water from flowerpots, gutters, buckets, pool covers, pet dishes and birdbaths.

Source: HealthDay